Nearby Words
ɪdʒverb (used with object), -edged, -edg·ing.
1.
to admit to be real or true; recognize the existence, truth, or fact of: to acknowledge one's mistakes.
2.
to show or express recognition or realization of: to acknowledge an acquaintance by nodding.
3.
to recognize the authority, validity, or claims of: The students acknowledged the authority of the student council.
4.
to show or express appreciation or gratitude for: to acknowledge a favor.
5.
EXPANDto indicate or make known the receipt of: to acknowledge a letter.
Origin:
1475–85; acknowleche, apparently either Middle English aknou(en) to recognize (Old English oncnāwan; see a-1, know) + -leche noun suffix (Old English *-lǣce, by-form of -lac; compare knowledge, wedlock); or blend of aknouen and knouleche knowledge; then a- was mistaken for ac-
1475–85; acknowleche, apparently either Middle English aknou(en) to recognize (Old English oncnāwan; see a-1, know) + -leche noun suffix (Old English *-lǣce, by-form of -lac; compare knowledge, wedlock); or blend of aknouen and knouleche knowledge; then a- was mistaken for ac-
Related forms
ac·knowl·edge·a·ble, adjective
ac·knowl·edg·er, noun
pre·ac·knowl·edge, verb (used with object), -edged, -edg·ing.
re·ac·knowl·edge, verb (used with object), -edged, -edg·ing.
un·ac·knowl·edg·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. concede, confess, grant. Acknowledge, admit, confess agree in the idea of declaring something to be true. Acknowledge implies making a statement reluctantly, often about something previously denied: to acknowledge a fault. Admit especially implies acknowledging something under pressure: to admit a charge. Confess usually means stating somewhat formally an admission of wrongdoing, crime, or shortcoming: to confess guilt; to confess an inability to understand.
1. concede, confess, grant. Acknowledge, admit, confess agree in the idea of declaring something to be true. Acknowledge implies making a statement reluctantly, often about something previously denied: to acknowledge a fault. Admit especially implies acknowledging something under pressure: to admit a charge. Confess usually means stating somewhat formally an admission of wrongdoing, crime, or shortcoming: to confess guilt; to confess an inability to understand.
Antonyms
1. deny, disclaim, disavow.
1. deny, disclaim, disavow.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To acknowledge
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Acknowledge
is always a great word to know.
So is manslaughter. Does it mean:
| permitting no option, not to be disregarded or modified |
| the unlawful killing of a human being without malice aforethought |
Example Sentences
- Many schools acknowledge holidays in a social studies context.
- Even die-hard optimists now acknowledge that the ad market is a mess.
- It is the poisonous elephant in the room that no one will acknowledge.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
acknowledge
1550s, a blend of M.E. aknow (from O.E. oncnawan "understand," from on + cnawan "recognize;" see know) and M.E. verb knowlechen "admit." Somehow, in the merger, a parasitic -c- slipped in, so that, while the kn- became a simple "n" sound (as in know), the -c- stepped up to
EXPAND preserve, in this word, the ancient "kn-" sound.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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